1  -&.  M-^-c- 


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PRINCETON,    N.     J- 


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£5 


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COMPASSION 
TO  THE  POOR  RECOMMENDED. 


A  SERMON, 

i 
DELIVERED 

IN    THE 

FIRST  BAPTIST  MEETING  HOUSE 

PHILADELPHIA, 

FEBRUARY  THE  FOURTH,  1810, 

AND    PUBLISHED    AT   THE    REQUEST  AND  FOR  THE  PROFIT 
OF    THE 

FEMALE  BAPTIST  BENEVOLENT  SOCIETY 

IN    SAID    CITY. 

$Y  WILLIAM  SIAUGHTON,  D.  D. 


"  All  the  widows  stood  weeping,  an-1  shewing  the  coats  and  garments 
"  which  Dorcas  made  while  she  was  with  them."  Acts ,  c.  9.  v.  29. 
"  Ubicunque  homo  est,  ibi  beneficio  locus  est."     Seneca. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  BARTHOLOMEW  GRAVES 

1810. 


SERMON. 


{Jalatia7is,  c.  1,-v.  10.     Only  they  would  that  we  should  remem- 
ber the  floor  ;  the  same  that  1  also  was  Jorward  to  do. 

"  The  poor  shall  never  cease  out  of  the  land ."•  «  The 
poor  ye  have  always  with  you,  and  whensoever  ye  will  ye  may 
do  them  good."  f  Such  was  the  language  in  which  God  ad- 
dressed the  Israelites ;  and  such  the  Lord  Jesus  employed, 
when  the  officious  attention  of  a  sincere  penitent  to  his  person, 
was  censured  as  an  uncharitable  profusion. 

In  every  age  the  indigent  have  existed  and  have  commonly 
formed  large  portions  of  the  mass  of  society.  The  character 
and  condition  of  man  forbid  the  expectation  that  this  state  of 
things,  will  ever  be  greatly  reversed.  He  is  a  sinner.  His 
indolence,  his  pride,  his  dilatory  temper,  and  his  restless  ap- 
petite, his  caprice  and  his  imprudence  would  produce  a  state 
of  penury,  though  drunkenness  and  lust  were  not  indulged. 
Man  is  a  sinner  in  society  with  others.  In  the  community  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  thieves  are  preparing  to  break  through 
and  steal.  The  widows  and  the  fatherless  children  have  adver- 
saries. The  unsuspicious  become  victims  of  t'ie  designing, 
and  the  easy  often  remain  to  lament,  in  poverty,  their  ill-direct- 
ed sympathies. 

Sometimes  the  governments  of  the  world,  far  from  secu- 
ring the  interests  of  the  commonwealth,  their  professed  aim, 
are  productive  of  wretchedness  to  thousands.  Is  a  sceptre 
swayed  by  age  and  weakness,  "out  of  prison  an  old  and  foolish 
"  king  cometh  to  reign  and  he  that  is  born  in  his  king- 
*'  dom  becometh  poor."$  Is  the  supreme  power  at  the  con- 
*rou!  of  a  hero,  who  fills  a  nation  with  soldiery?  The  existence 

*  Deuteronomy,  c.  15  v.  11       Mark,  c.  14.  v.  7- 
\  Eccl.  chap.  4. 14  verse. 


(      4      ) 

and  movements  of  vast  armies  always  multiply  the  number 
of  the  impoverished  and  the  distressed.  When  Uzziah  reigned 
and  Amos  prophesied,  God,  by  his  prophet,  declares  his 
determination  to  punish  the  armed  men  of  Judah,  because 
"  they  sold  the  righteous,  for  silver,  and  the  poor  for  a  pair  of 
"  shoes.*  They  are  charged  with  "  treading  upon  the  poor  ;  ' 
with  taking  from  him  "  burdens  of  wheat,"  and  selling"  the 
refuse."  Strangers  to  humanity,  they  are  to  be  contemplated  as 
beasts  rather  than  men,  "  Hear  this  word  ye  kine  of  Bashan." 
It  is  our  mercy,  my  brethren,  that  from  calamities,  such  as 
these,  the  sovereign  of  nations  has  preserved  us. 

The  affairs  of  mortals  are  under  the  direction  of  an  uncon- 
troulable  providence.  The  divine  hand  is  to  be  traced  in 
the  varied  lot  of  men.  "  The  Lord  maketh  poor  and  maketh 
rich."|  of  this  truth  the  patriarch  was  sensible  and  was  prepar- 
ed to  say  "  The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away." 

A  thousand  occurrences,  which  man  is  incapable  of  foresee- 
ing; or  avoiding,  may  reduce  him  from  affluence  to  want.  On 
the  seas,  storms  and  shipwrecks  may  devour  his  property  ;  on 
the  shorts,  fire  may  suddenly  consume  it,  "  Except  the  Lord 
•  «'  build  the  house,  they  labour  in  vain  that  build  it  :  except  the 
*'  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman  waketh  but  in  vain.  It  is 
"  vain  for  you  to  rise  up  early,  to  sit  up  late,  to  eat  the  bread 
"  of  sorrows."*  Sickness  and  age  un-nerve  the  arm  of  indus- 
try; the  cold  and  snows  of  winter  create  new  necessities;  and 
sometimes,  the  hand  of  death  rends  from  a  family  its  chief 
supporter.  In  such  an  economy,  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of 
Jehovah  are  discernible.  The  rich  are  provided  with  a  sphere 
for  benevolent  exertion  and  the  poor  are  taught  to  rely  on  his 
p-.ovic^nce  who  clothes  the  lilies  of  the  field  and  feeds  the 
fowls  of  the  air;  the  sensibilities   of  the  heart  are  awakened 

*  Amos,  chap.  4.  5  verse,     f  Psalm  127,  chap.  1.  verse  ?. 


(  5  ) 

and  men  become  powerfully  allied  to  each  other,  by  having 
duties  and  dependencies  intimately  mingled. 

It  was.  probably  in  relation  to  this  last  source  of  poverty,  the 
visitations  of  God,  that  our  text  was  uttered.  A  little  before 
the  sun  of  prophecy  went  down  ;  prophets  came  "  from  Jeru- 
salem unto  Antioch  ;  and  there  stood  up  one  of  them,  named 
Agabus,  and  signified  by  the  spirit,  that  there  should  be  great 
dearth  throughout  all  trie  world;  which  came  to  pass  in  the 
days  of  Claudius  Cesar.  Then  the  disciples,  every  man  ac- 
cording to  his  ability,  determined  to  send  relief  unto  the 
brethren  which  dwelt  in  Judea."*  These  brethren  felt  the 
calamity  more  severely,  as  on  the  effusion  of  the  spirit  at 
the  fea  t  of  Pentecost  *  as  many  as  were  possessors  of  houses 
an-!  lands,  sold,  them,"  and  laid  "  the  prices  of  the  things"  at 
the  apostles  feet,  and  as  Judea  was  the  seat  of  the  first  fierce 
persecution   that  was  directed  against  the  followers  of  Christ. 

At  the  time  Paul  addressed  the  churches  in  Galatia  :  two 
things  appear  to  have  been  circulated  among  them,  by  design- 
ing men  to  his  disadvantage.  He  was  represented  :is  i  i  tig 
his  knowledge  of  the  Christian  system  from  the  apostles  ;  and 
it  was  insinuated  that  his  doctrine,  and  that  which  the  apostles 
taught,  were  not  iii  harmony  with  each  other.  From  the  first 
of  these  ideas,  the  inference  was  probably  drawn,  that  as  a 
mere  learner  he  was  unfit  to  instruct ;  and  from  the  last,  that 
as  a  teacher  of  false  doctrine,  he  was  to  be  resisted  or 
shunned.  But  the  apostle  answers,  "  I  certify  you  brethren, 
that  the  gospel  which  is  preached  by  me  is  not  after  man ;  I 
neither  received  it  from  man,  nor  wis  I  (aught  it,  but  by  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ  "f  Had  Paul  learned  the  gospel 
from  others,  it  must  have  been  before  his  conversion,  or  after 
it.. .not  before  ;  for  then  says  he,  u  beyond  measure  I  persecu- 
ted the  church  of  God.  and  wasted  it". ..not  after,  for  lie  adds, 
"  when  it  pleased  God  to  reveal   his  son  in   me  that  I  might 

*  Acts  11,  chap.  27,  29  verse,     f  1  Chap.  12,  13  verse. 


(      6      ) 

preach  among  the  heathen,  immediately,  I  conferred  not  with 
flesh  and  blood  ;  neither  went  I  up  to  Jerusalem  to  them  who 
were  apostles  before  me,  but  I  went  into  Arabia,  and  return- 
ed again  unto  Damascus."* 

The  second  imputation  he  disproves  with  equal  facility  and 
effect.  So  far  from  any  discord'existing  between  the  doctrines 
taught  by  him  and  by  the  apostles  ;  he  says,  when  "  James, 
Cephas,  and  John,  who  seemed  to  be  pillars,  perceived  the 
grace  that  was  given  unto  mc,  they  gave  to  me  and  Barnabas 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  that  we  should  go  unto  the  heath- 
en, and  they  unto  the  circumcision."  *  The  right  hand  of 
fellowship  was  an  incontrovertible  token  that,  their  faith  and 
affection,  their  aim  and  ardour,  their  sufferings  and  consola- 
tions were  one.  They  would  indeed  that  he  should  remember 
the  poor;  meaning  the  poor  saints  at  Jerusalem,  the  poor 
scattered  through  the  churches  of  Christ ;  or,  the  poor  of 
every  description,  and  wherever  found.  But  as  to  this,  no 
difference  of  view  existed  :  this  service  of  Christian  benevo- 
lence, says  Paul,  was  the  same  which  "  I  also  was  forward  te 
»  do." 

For  the  purpose  of  exciting  an  equal  readiness  in  your  minds, 
my  brethren,  to  this  labour  of  love  you  are  requested  to  re- 
flect ; 

I.  On  the  duty  recommended. ...Remember  the  poor. 

II.  On  the  solicitude  of  good  men,  to  have  this  duty  faith- 
fully discharged:  "  Only  they  would"  that  we  should  thus 
act.     And 

III.  On  the  example,  furnished  by  the  text,  for  our  imita- 
tion ;  "  I  also  was  forward." 

I.  The  duty  in  contemplation  is  obviously, 

1.  opposed  to  for getfulness.  "  Remember  and  forget  not."t 
The  emotion  which  the  remembrance  of  poverty  and  distress 
exenes  in  the  mind  is  a  painful  one  ;  Men  treat  it  as  the  hea- 

*  Gal.  c.  1.  v.  16,  17.      t  Deuteron  my,  c.  9.  v.  7- 


(     7     ) 

then  did  the  idea  of  a  God.  They  dislike  "  to  retain"  it, 
The  current  of  our  meditations  is  commonly  directed  by  our 
habits.  In  the  depth  of  his  adversities,  the  prophet  says, 
"  I  format  prosperity."*  In  the  same  manner,  in  the  midst 
of  prosperity,  we  are  in  danger  of  forgetting  adverse  scenes. 
The  divine  majesty  has  placed  the  house  of  mourning  "  over 
against"  the  house  of  mirth,  that  while  in  one,  we  enjoy  ease, 
competency,  or  it  may  be  abundance,  we  may  be  reminded  of 
the  duty  of  turning  the  eye  and  employing  the  heart  on  the 
mansions  of  the  other.  When  Joseph  preferred  his  modest 
but  importunate  petition  to  the  chief  butler,  "  think  on  me 
"  when  it  shall  be  well  with  thee,  and  shew  kindness,  I  pray 
"  thee  make  mention  of  me  to  Pharoah  and  bring  me  out  of 
«  this  house"  ;  it  is  highly  probable  that  he  received  protes- 
tations of  sedulous  attention,  and  with  confidence  waited  their 
fulfilment.  "Yet  did  not  the  chief  butler  remember  Joseph 
"  but  format  him  :"t  so  effectually  is  the  kindling  glow  of 
humanity  quenched  by  the  tides  of  affluence  and  honour.  It 
is  well  for  us  that  the  God  of  mercy  "  forgetteth  not  the  cry 
"  of  the  humble/%  The  presence  of  a  beggar  at  our  door, 
though  he  be  perhaps  an  impostor,  provokes  our  charity,  by 
reminding  us  of  our  duty.  Be  assured,  Brethren,  a  thousand 
cases  of  extreme  indigence  exisi  where  the  subject  "cannot 
"  beg."  His  sensibilities,  or  perhaps  his  sufferings,  forbid 
him.  Let  him  not  perish.  Let  it  not  be  said,  "  Ye  huve 
"  forgotten  the  exhortation  which  speaketh  to  you  as  unto 
"  children  :"  but,  on  the  contrary,  "  Be  not  forgetful  to  en- 
"  tertain  strangers."  "  To  do  good  and  to  communicate 
"  forget  not." 

The  duty  we  are  contemplating  stands 

2.  opposed  to  wilful  neglect.  If  the  patriarchs,  says  Paul, 
"  had  been  mindful  (the  word  in  our  text  translated  remem- 

•  Lamentations,  c.  3.  v.  17.     f  Genesis,  c.  40th.  v.  23.  Psalm  9-12. 
\  Hebrews,  c.  12th  &  13th. 


(      8     ) 

ber)  ;  "  if  they  had  been  mindful  of  that  country  whence  they 
"  came  out,  they  might  have  had  opportunity,  to  have  re- 
"  turned."*  But  though  the  inhabitants  of  Canaan  did  not  im- 
pede their  return,  nor  those  of  Chaldea  forbid  it,  they  resolutely 
kept  from  the  country  they  had  left,  and  when  driven  by  fa- 
mine from  the  land  of  promise,  sought  relief  in  an  opposite 
direction,  in  Egypt  and  not  in  Assyria.  This  wilful  neglect 
evinced  the  greatness  of  their  faith,  but,  the  discovery,  on 
our  part,  of  such  a  temper  towards  the  poor,  must  determine 
the  absence  of  ours.  The  exterior  sanctity  of  a  Priest  or  a 
Levite  will  not  atone  for  the  neglect  of  a  Wounded  man  by  the 
way  side.  Pride  and  luxury  may  scorn  the  Lazar  at  the  gate, 
but  the  fire  of  Hell  shall  repay  the  inhuman  procedure. 
Insensibility  to  the  condition  of  the  wretched  is  a  crime. 
f<  Thou  shalt  not  harden  thy  heart,  nor  shut  thine  hand  from 
u  thy  poor  brother. "t  In  Philadelphia,  let  it  never  be  seen 
that  "  the  poor  is  separated  from  his  neighbour"|: — "  The 
n  poor  is  hated  even  by  his  own  neighbour."!) 
The  duty  is 
3.  opposed  to  silence  on  the  subject  of  the  bounty  of  others. 
To  publish  the  gospel  is  by  the  apostle  termed  remember- 
ing it  §  «  By  faith  Joseph  when  he  died,"  remembered, 
(£ttv»/xo«!/<7»)  that  is,  he  "  made  mention  of  the  de- 
parting of  the  children  of  Israel. "fl  Subjects  which  employ 
our  recollection  easily  become  themes  of  discourse.  Let  us 
tiot  suppose  that  the  case  of  the  poor  is  sufficiently  urged  in 
apostolical  exhortations  and  in  occasional  effusions  from  the 
pulpit ;  it  should  share  the  converse  of  the  parlour.  More 
good  may  be  effected  in  this  way  than  we,  at  first,  may  ima- 
gine. The  poor  are  introduced  into  our  company,  and  re- 
lieved without  pain  to  themselves.      Who  would  not  aspire 

*  Heb.  c.  11.  15.    t  Deuteronomy,  c  15.  v.  7.     J  Prov.  c  14  v.  20. 
||  Prov.  c.  19.  v.  4.    §2  Tim.  c  2.  v.  8.     H  Heb.  c  11.  v.  22- 


(      »      ) 

at  the  double  honour  of  doing  our  own  duty  and  inciting 
others  to  accomplish  theirs.  Inducements  to  refuse  are  less- 
ened, when  the  petitioner  is  known  to  be  disinterested. 

I  remember,  when  a  young  man,  in  company  with  a  belov- 
ed and  respected  tutor,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Hughes,  now  of 
Battersea,  spending  a  day  at  the  country  seat  of  Miss  Hannah 
More.  It  was  the  seat  of  simplicity  and  elegance,  of  litera- 
ture and  piety.  This  excellent  lady  who  has  honoured  her 
country  and  her  sex,  and  enriched  the  world  and  the  church  by 
her  instructive  pages,  was  called  out  of  the  parlour,  perhaps 
for  half  an  hour,  in  the  interval  between  dinner  and  tea-time. 
On  her  return  she  offered  an  apology.  It  was  artless  and 
interesting.  She  had  been  administering  to  the  relief  of  a 
poor  widow,  who  had  several,  I  think  ten  children,  and  offer- 
ing her  counsel  in  some  circumstances  of  extreme  embarrass- 
ment. She  gave  only  a  few  outlines,  but  nature  and  truth,  in 
a  moment,  completed  the  picture.  I  never  more  regreted 
that  the  sum,  I  had  with  me,  was  so  trivial  and  never  felt  in  an 
equal  degree  anxious  to  be  rich,  for  the  purpose  of  sharing 
the  luxury  of  doing  good. 
Remembering  the  poor  is 

4.  opposed  to  inactivity.  Strictly  speaking,  the  simple  recol- 
lection of  a  person  contributes  neither  to  his  advantage  nor  his 
injury  ;  but  with  a  sound,  a  delicate,  a  virtuous  mind  the  mere 
recurrence  of  distress  brings  motive  sufficient  for  imparting 
relief.  Ancient  servants  of  God  were  satisfied  that  it  was 
necessary,  in  their  afflictions,  only  "  to  put"  the  Lord  "  in  re- 
membrance." His  love  would  attend  to  the  rest.  Of  this 
kind,  was  the  repeated  prayer  of  Nehemiah,  when  reforming 
the  offices  of  the  sanctuary.  "  Remember  me,  O  my  God, 
for  good".*  Thus  too,  Job,  in  his  calamity,  cried  unto  the  Lord 
"  Oh  that  thou  wouldest  remember  me."f  "  Lord  remember 
u  me"4  was  the  comprehensive  petition  of  the  malefactor  on 

*  Nebsmiah.c.  IS.v.SJ*    f  Job,  c.  14.  r.  13.     t  ^"ke»  c  93.  v.  41. 


(     io    ) 


the  cross.  The  benificence  of  Jenovah  which  created  man  a 
littie  lower  than  the  angels,  and  which  crowned  him  with 
glory  and  honour  David  ascribes  to  his  being  "  mindful  of 
"  him."*  Remembering  the  poor,  then,  includes  in  it  be- 
nevolent action. 

We  must  make  a  reserve  for  them..."  Let  every  one  of  you 
*'  lay  by  him  in  store  as  God  hath  prospered  him."t  If  we  are  not 
able,  like  the  generous  Watts,  when  supported  in  the  family 
of  an  Abney,  to  apply  a  third  part  of  our  income  to  the  poor,  a 
conscientious  appropriation  of  some  portion  of  our  property 
to  this  service,  highly  becomes  us.  Paul  employs  the  same 
wordt  to  express  fellowship  and  alms-giving.  Our  morsel  is 
not  to  be  eaten  alone.  An  economical  and  regular  reserva- 
tion will  be  followed  with  many  advantages.  In  urgent  cases 
we  shall  be  prepared  and  "  ready  to  communicate."  The 
false  estimate  we  are  prone  to  make  of  the  magnitude  of  our 
charities  will  be  corrected,  and  the  extremes  of  parsimony  and 
imprudence  alike  avoided. 

We  must  dispense  to  their  necessities.  This  duty  is  express- 
ed by  the  terms  scattering,||  dispersing, §  opening  the  hand,fl 
drawing  out  the  soui,**  sowing,-^  watering.JI  Of  the  Pa- 
rents of  Job,  the  divine  word  makes  no  express  mention  :  but 
their  knov.  ledge  of  the  human  heart  and  of  the  influence  of 
early  habits  on  subsequent  life  ;  their  devotedness  to  God  and 
their  desire  for  the  welfare  of  their  son  may  be  inferred  from 
{.lie  Patriarch's  own  assertions,  "from  my  youth  he  (the  father- 
"  less)  was  brought  up  with  me  as  a  father  ;  and  I  have  gui- 
"  dpd  her  (the  widow)  from  my  mother's  womb  "     O  ye  Pa- 

*  Psalm  8.  A.  f  1  Cor.  17,  2.  }Ko»ya>»,«  Comp,  2  Cor,  6,  14.  with  2 
Cor.  9,  13. and  in  other  places.  |j  Prov.  11.  24.  S  Psalm.  112.  9. 
i  DeuL  15.  11.     ••  Isaiah,  58.  10.     ft  2  Cor.  9.  6.    \\  Prov.  11.  25. 


(  11  ) 

rents,  we  beseech  you,  habituate  your  children  to  acts  of  bene- 
volence. Intrust  them  with  small  sums  for  the  purpose.  Take 
them  with  you  by  the  hand  into  the  chambers  of  sorrow. 
Teach  them  to  weep  with  them  that  weep. ...You  will  by  such 
means  form  them  for  a  reputable  and  an  useful  life.  The 
course  into  which  this  good  man  had  been  guided  in  his  youth 
became  the  easier,  when  the  fear  of  God  took  possession  of 
his  heart. ...of  his  table  "  the  fatherless  did  eat."  The  '  loins" 
of  the  poor  "  blessed"  him  for  they  were  warmed  with  the 
fleece  of  his  sheep.  When  "the  wicked"  like  amontter  of  prey 
would  devour  the  indigent  he  "  brake  his  jaws"  and  "  dejive- 
u  red  the  spoil  out  of  his  teeth."  Well  did  he  deserve 
the  character  of  "  a  father  to  the  poor."  And  shall  not  we, 
my  brethren,  aspire  at  a  similar  honour  ?  "  Give"  I  beseech 
you  "  to  him  that  needeth."  Is  he  hungry  ?"  feed  him  ;  is  he 
thirsty  ?  give  him  drink  ;  is  he  naked  ?  clothe  him  ;  is  he 
sick  ?  visit  him,  and  take  with  you  the  reviving  cordial  or  the 
requisite  medicine.  Is  he  ignorant  ?  instruct  him.  Is  he  in 
perplexity  ?  be  his  counsellor.  Is  he  in  his  sins  ?  pray  for 
him.  Tell  him  what  the  grace  of  a  mediator  can  accomplish 
The  duty  we  are  contemplating  is 

5.  opposed  to  an  inconstant  temper  of  mind.  Alas!  we 
are  prone  to  be  weary  in  well  doing.  Strong  temptations  to 
this,  I  acknowledge,  may  sometimes  present  themselves. 
Perhaps  our  good  is  evil  spoken  of;  and  our  motives  misre- 
presented. Perhaps  our  charities  have  proved  unwisely  be- 
stowed ;  or  have  been  returned  with  ingratitude.  Perhaps 
the  benevolence  of  others,  whose  capacity  equals  or  exceeds 
our  own,  is  seen  to  fail ;  or,  it  may  be,  because  the  number  of 
cases  of  distress  far  exceeds  our  ability  to  relieve,  we 
shrink  from  the  magnitude  of  the  object,  and  conclude  on  do- 
ing nothing.  But,  we  should  keep  in  memory,  that  neither 
calumny  nor  applause,   unthankfulncss  nor  gratitude,  is  ouy 


(  12  ) 

rule  of  action.  If  we  have  erred  in  past  contributions,  let  us 
grow  wiser  from  our  mistakes.  Should  others  fail  in  their 
services;  the  call  is  the  louder  for  ours.  If  our  means  are 
limited  ;  so  is  our  duty.  «  If  there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  it 
"  is  accepted  according  to  what  a  man  hath,  and  not  according 
"  to  what  he  hath  not. '**  The  mite  of  the  widow  was  greater  in 
the  estimation  of  the  Son  of  God,  than  the  abundance  of  the 
rich.  "  See"  said  Paul  to  the  Corinthians,  "  that  ye  abound  in 
thisgrace"T  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work  and 
labour  of  love,  which  ye  have  shewed  towards  his  name :  in 
that  ye  have  ministered  unto  the  saints,  and  do  minister  ;  and 
we  desire  every  one  of  you  do  shew  the  same  diligence,  to 
the  full  assurance  of  hope  unto  the  end."| 

The  importance  of  the  duty  before  us,  will  more  fully  dis- 
cover itself  while 

II.  We  reflect  on  the  solicitude  of  the  Apostles  to  have  it, 
with  fidelity,  fulfilled.  "  They  would  that  we  should  "  re- 
member the  poor."  Some  circumstances  might  have  indu- 
ced them  to  fear  lest  this  office  by  Paul,  should  have  remain- 
ed undischarged  ;  particularly  as  it  related  to  the  poor  saints 
at  Jerusalem.  He  was  about  to  go  to  the  Gentiles,  but  as  the 
prejudices  of  the  Jews  against  the  Gentiles  were  great,  it 
was  to  be  feared  lest  the  Gentiles  should  indulge  corres- 
ponding ones.  Besides,  as  Paul  was  on  the  eve  of  travel- 
ling, they  knew  not  how  far,  probably  to  Illyricum,  or  his 
zeal  might  propel  him  to  Spain  ;  there  was  some  ground  for 
suspecting  that  distance  might  diminish  his  sympathies,  or 
new  objects  of  concern  occupy  the  place  of  former  ones.  Paul 
and  Barnabas  seemed  as  like  to  become  "  pillars"  among 
the  Gentiles,  as  were  James,  and  Cephas,  and  John,  among 
the  Jews.  If  the  poor  were  by  them  neglected,  the  influence 
of  their  example  would  be  pre-eminently  injurious.     Few  of 

Corinthians  8.  12.         f  2  Cor.  8.  7.  \  Heb.  6.  10,  11. 


#  o 


(      13      ) 

the  actions  of  public  characters,  can  be  considered  as  private 
ones. 

There  are,  however,  other  reasons  for  the  solicitude  the 
Apostles  expressed,  than  those,  which  originated  in  the  circum- 
stances of  Barnabas  and  Paul.  Compassion  to  the  poor  is 
recommended  by  nature  itself.  If  the  instances  of  this,  fur- 
nished by  nations,  who  were  never  blessed  with  the  oracles  of 
God,  be  but  few,  and  contain  more  of  the  proud  privations  of 
the  patriot  than  the  tender  emotions  of  the  man,  it  is  to  be  as- 
cribed chiefly  to  the  creed,  their  false  religion  suggested.  It 
cannot  be  surprising  that  such  should  be  without  "  natural  af- 
fection"* who  could  offer,  without  remorse  their  children  to 
Moloch,  or  sacrifice  an  aged  parent,  to  spare  themselves  the 
inconvenience  of  maintaining  him.f  Can  it  be  expected  that 
the  eye  which  calmly  sees  a  babe  exposed  to  the  swell  of  the 
Ganges,  or  suspended  on  a  branch  to  become  a  feast  for  a 
jackall,  will  melt  at  human  woe  ?  Will  that  hand  open  itself  to 
relieve  affliction,  which  has  just  been  administering  flame  to 
the  pyre,  on  whose  summit  were  stretched  a  dead  and  a  living 
parent  ?  But  where  superstition  has  not  converted  the  hear: 
into  iron,  man  feels  compassion  for  man. ...Thousands  are  to 
be  found  whose  minds  are  enmity  against  God,  who  yet  fly 
to  alleviate  distress.  Atheists,  who  would  persuade  us  they 
disbelieve  the  divine  existence,  and  infidels  who  mock  the 
page  of  inspiration,  are  willing  to  convince  us  they  can  com- 
miserate calamity.  But,  this  should  not  surprise  us.  At- 
tachment to  its  kind  commonly  pervades  all  the  varieties  of 
animated  nature. 

Some  speculative  writers  on  ethicks  have  contended,  that 
benevolence  is  "  instinct  or  a  determination  of  our  nature  an- 

*  2  Rom.  3.  c.  3  v.  f  Grotius  quotes  a  striking  passage  from  Taci- 
tus who,  when  comparing  Jewish  and  Roman  institutions,  say.Necare 
quemquam  ex  agnatis,  nefas.  The  Jews  thought  it  unlawful  to  kill  a 
relative. 


(  1"  ) 

«  tccedent  to  all  reason  from  interest ;"  that  man  is  governed 
in  his  charity,  by  the  same  kind  of  law,  which  induces  the 
eagle  to  build  a  nest,  or  a  lion  to  protect  its  young.  If  this 
were  true,  I  need  say  no  more,  to  night,  than  follow  nature  .'.. 
be  men  ."Others  find  the  origin  of  this  affection  in  "  self  love;" 
while  some  resolve  it  into  "  the  finer  sensibilities  of  the  heart." 
Were  such  constructions  admitted,  I  might  content  myself 
with  the  exhortation,  be  happy  !  be  eminent* I  It  is,  however, 
better  for  us  to  assert  that  God  commands  the  duty,  thata  heart 
governed  by  his  fear,  delights  to  fulfil  it,  and  that  his  wisdom 
and  mercy  have  assigned  a  present  and  final  reward. 

The  institutions,  enjoined  by  the  Lord,  during  the  Mosaic 
economy,  tenderly  respected  the  condition  of  the  poor.  In- 
vidious distinctions  were  guarded  against.  How  much  soever 
the  Hebrews  might  differ  from  each  other,  as  to  personal  pro- 
perty, their  souls  were  of  equal  value.  Hence  the  injunction  : 
"  The  rich  shall  not  give  more,  and  the  poor  shall  not  give  less 
"  than  half  a  shekel ;  when  ye  give  an  offering  unto  the  Lord, 
"  to  make  an  atonement  for  your  souls."*  A  little  salt,  a  tur- 
tle dove,  a  young  pigeon  or  a  lamb,  according  to  the  ability  of 
the  offerer,  proved  an  acceptable  oblation.  In  harvest  time 
the  corners  of  the  field  were  forbidden  to  be  reaped  ;  the  fallen 
ears  to  be  collected  ;  and  a  forgotten  sheaf  to  be  fetched  home. 
These,  with  the  gleanings  of  the  vineyard,  were  to  be  left  "  for 
"  the  poor  and  the  stranger. "t  Every  seventh  year  the  land 
must  *  rest  and  lie  still, "\  that  the  poor  of  the  people  might 
eat. 

From  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  a  thousand  incentives 
to  charity,  unknown  before,  may  be  collected.  Here,  we  have 
a  display  of  the  liberality  of  God,  and  are  called  to  offer  thanks 
to  his  name,  for  the  unspeakable  gift  of  the  Saviour.  To  awa- 
ken our  attention  to  the  indigent,  an  apostle  reminds  us,  that 

*  Exodus,  c.  30.  v.  14.         f  Levit,  c.  19.        J  Exod  c.  23.  v.  10. 


(      15      ) 

he  that  was  rich,  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we,  through 
his  poverty,  might  be  rich.  Shall  we  share  the  blessings  of 
the  gospel  without  imbibing  its  spirit  ?  What  was  our  native 
state?  poverty,  nakedness,  hunger,  thirst, misery.  What  does 
the  gospel  furnish  ?  gold  tried  in  the  fire. ...garments  of  salva- 
tion...the  bread  of  life  and  the  water  of  life.  It  spreads  before 
us  a  feast  of  marrow  and  fat  things,  with  wines  on  the  lees  well 
refined.  On  what  terms  may  these  blessings  be  obtained  ? 
On  terms  worthy  their  glorious  nature,  worthy  the  sovereign 
giver,  and  precisely  adapted  to  our  helpless  condition  "  with- 
"  out  money  and  without  price."  If  the  indulgence  of  an  un- 
forgiving temper  towards  our  brethren  have  in  it  enough  to 
alarm  us,  lest  God  should  not  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  to  be 
unconcerned  for  the  poor  should  alarm  us  no  less.  The  deter- 
mined churl  may  spare  himself  the  service  of  asking  mercy  from 
God,  for  "  whoso  stoppeth  his  ear  at  the  cry  of  the  poor,  he 
"  also  shall  cry  himself,  but  shall  not  be  heard."*  It  is  the 
privilege  of  the  believer  to  receive,  as  from  a  mould,  the 
impress  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus. ..He  takes  his  character  from 
its  heavenly  nature,  and  learns  to  be  merciful,  as  his  father 
who  is  in  heaven  is  merciful.  Love  to  God,  to  the  saints,  to 
our  enemies,  and  to  the  poor,  is  the  spirit  of  the  religion  of  the 
cross.  "  But  whoso  hath  this  world's  good  and  seeth  his  brother 
"  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  compassion  from 
"  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ?"f  The  gospel 
thunders  as  well  as  the  law.  "  He  shall  have  judgment  with- 
M  out  mercy  that  hath  shewed  no  mercy."! 

The  circumstances  of  the  action  itself,  recommended  in  the 
text,  supply  a  mass  of  motives  to  abound  in  it.  Let  me  refer 
you  to  four,  the  donation,  the  giver,  the  rcci/iie?it,  and  the  ob- 
servers. Consider  the  nature  of  the  gift  you  are  requested  to 
confer.     It  is  only  "  this  world's  goods."     Gold  that  can  be 

*  Prov.C.  21.  v.  13.     f  John,  c.  3  v.  17.     \  James,  c.  ?.  v.  13. 


(      16      ) 

corrupted. ..meat  that  perisheth,  garments  that,  iflong  retained, 
will  become  moth  eaten.  Yet  even  these  are  not  properly 
your  own.  It  was  a  Nabal,  a  fool,  who  exclaimed  "  shall  I 
k'  take  my  bread,  and  my  water,  and  my  flesh  and  give  it."* 
The  blessings  of  providence  we  enjoy  are  not  ours,  improper- 
ly to  withold,  much  less  ours  to  abuse.  We  are  stewards  and 
of  our  stewardship  we  must  give  an  account.  The  talent  well 
occupied,  may  conduce  to  the  comfort  of  ourselves  and  others, 
but  buried  or  wasted,  must  prove  a  curse. 

But.  of  whom  do  I  solicit  contributions  this  evening?  Is  it 
of  a  race  of  beings  who  have  no  need  of  charity  ?  who  are  un- 
der no  obligations  to  the  poor  I  whose  condition  is  above  vi- 
cissitude ?  whose  present  station  is  an  immortal  one  ?  Ah!  my 
brethren,  you  know  your  situation  is  quite  the  reverse  of  all 
this !  you  are  pensioners  on  the  liberality  of  another.  If  your 
daily  bread  were  not  given  you,  you  must  perish.  You  are  un- 
der a  law  which  appeals  to  your  self  love,  as  a  motive  and  rule 
of  action.  Ask  yourselves,  what  would  you  wish  from 
others  were  you,  this  evening,  afflicted  and  destitute,  and  let 
your  answer  govern  your  conduct.  The  suns  that  now  bright- 
en your  path  ;  the  landscapes  that  exalt  your  raptures  and 
sustain  your  hopes,  may  soon  be  succeeded  with  darkness  and 
desolation.  Forget  not,  my  brethren,  that  you  are  yet  in  the 
body.  Say  not  to  thy  neighbour,  "  go  and  come  again  and  to- 
morrow I  will  give."f  Alas  !  to-morrow  is  not  thine,  to-mor- 
row thy  heart  may  be  harder  than  to-day.  To-morrow  the 
power  of  doing  good  may  be  wrested  from  thy  possession. 
To-morrow  thou  mayest  be  a  child  of  penury  and  sickness, 
,*iid  in  the  bitterness  of  thy  soul,  thyself  neglected,  be  heard 
crying,  u  As  I  have  done,  so  God  has  requited  me."^  To- 
luoriow  thou  mayest  never  see. 

T  Samuel,  c.  25.  v.  11.  \  Proverbs,  c.  3.  r.  28.  \  Judges,  c.  1.  v.  7. 


(      17     ) 

Art  thou  rich?  OwHa  a  field  opens  before  thee  for  use* 
ful  exertion.  What  an  opportunity  for  becoming  (as  Dr. 
Barrow  happily  expresses  it)  "  virtuously  voluptuous."  Art 
thou  poor  ?  if  thou  art  not  able  to  communicate,  thou  canst 
sympathise  and  pray;  but,  let  me  give  thee  a  caution  :  never 
oppress  thy  fellow.  "  A  poor  man  that  oppresseth  the  poor 
**  is  like  a  sweeping  rain,  which  leaveth  no  food."*  Above 
all,  art  thou  a  christian  ?  Never  forget  that  attention  to  "  the 
"  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction"  is  an  important 
branch  of  "  pure  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  the 
M  Father."!  How  does  the  character  of  a  Fenelon  rise  in  our 
esteem  ;  how  amiably  is  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  in  him  ex- 
emplified, who,  when  informed,  that  his  library  was  consumed 
by  fire,  exclaimed,  "  I  had  rather  it  were  in  ashes,  than  the 
"  cabin  of  one  poor  family."  Let  such,  in  the  assembly,  as 
sustain  or  aspire  after  the  character  of  "  the  virtuous  woman'* 
whose  "  price  is  above  rubies,"  recollect  the  fine  trait  in  her 
picture,  "  She  strctcheth  out  her  hand  to  the  poor,  yea  she 
"  reacheth  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy. "f 

Look  at  the  poor  man  who  is  ready  to  perish.  He  is  ouv 
brother  ;  bone  of  our  bone,  and  flesh  of  our  flesh.  "  Did  not 
"  he  that  made  me  in  the  womb  make  him  ?  And  did  not  one 
"  fashion  us  in  the  womb  ?"§  Created  by  the  same  arm,  he  is 
the  subject  of  the  same  immortality  as  we.  His  feelings  are 
as  alive  as  ours  to  neglect  or  kii  d  >ess.  He  stands  in  the 
same  class  of  sinners,  is  destined  to  appear  before  the  same 
awful  tribunal,  and  can  enter  into  life  eternal  through  the 
grace  of  the  same  divine  Saviour  as  we  are  concerned  with. 
His  poverty  and  our  competence  are  but  mere  incidents  in 
our  existence.  Neither  the  animal,  nor  the  spiritual  life  of  a 
man  consists  in  the  abundance  of  his  possessions.  If  that 
same  poor  man  is  a  disciple  of  Jesus,  notwithstanding  his  ne- 

♦  Prov.  28.  3.     f  James,  1.  27-    J  Prov.  31.  20.     <>  Job,  31.  15 
C 


(      18      ) 

cessities  he  has  durable  riches ;  notwithstanding  his  thread-worn 
garment,  he  has  robes  of  salvation  and  glory;  notwithstanding 
his  want  of  a  place  where  he  may  lay  his  languid  head,  he 
has  a  mansion  in  the  skies  ;  he  is  heir  to  an  inheritance  in- 
corruptible, undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away.  He  is  a 
brother  of  the  Lord  of  the  universe,  who  in  all  his  afflictions 
is  himself  afflicted  ;  who  has  permitted  him  to  be  poor,  to 
give  us  an  opportunity  of  testifying  our  obedience  and  our 
love  to  himself ;  and,  who  will  not  suffer  a  cup  ot  cold  water, 
administered  to  him,5  in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  to  lose 
its  reward.  But,  suppose  he  is  not  a  servant  of  God,  it 
is  enough  that  he  is  in  distress.  Judgment  is  the  Lord's,  and 
not  ours.  Besides  who  can  tell  what  advantages  may  spring 
from  pity  and  relief.  The  divine  spirit  often  blesses  benevolent 
efforts  to  the  destroying  of  prejudice,  and  the  production  of  a 
desire  to  become  acquainted  with  that  religion  which  has  an  in- 
fluence, so  benign,  on  the  hearts  of  its  professors. 

The  observers  of  our  conduct,  my  brethren,  are  numerous. 
There  are  many  in  the  visible  world.  Ungodly  men  have 
their  eyes  upon  us.  Let  us  shew  them  that  faith  and  charity 
are  kindred  graces.  Let  us  put  to  silence  their  ignorance  and 
their  misrepresentation.  The  eyes  of  the  saints  are  upon  us. 
Let  us  copy  the  example  of  those  noble  Corinthians,  whose 
benificence  excited  the  gratitude,  the  prayers,  and  the  affec- 
tion of  their  brethren  all  around.  Hear  how  Paul  describes 
their  generous  course:  "  the  administration  of  this  service, 
not  only  supplieth  the  wants  of  the  saints,  but  is  abundant 
also  by  many  thanksgivings  unto  God  ;  while  by  the  ex- 
periment of  this  ministration  they  glorify  God  for  your  pro- 
fessed subjection  unto  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  for  your  liberal 
distribution  unto  them,  and  unto  all  men.  And  by  their  pray- 
er for  you,  which  long  after  you,  for  the  exceeding  grace  of 
God  in  you."* 

*  2  Corinthians,  9,  12. 14. 


(      19      ) 

We  have,  moreover,  good  reason  for  believing,  that  in  the 
\vorld,  which  is  to  us,  as  yet,  invisible,  many  an  attentive 
spectator  of  our  conduct  exists. 

The  prince  of  darkness  takes  a  malignant  pleasure  in  im- 
poverishing the  bodies  as  well  as  in  ruining  the  souls  of 
mankind.  He  is  a  destroyer,  and  it  appears  to  him,  of  little 
consequence,  in  what  way  his  mischiefs  are  produced.*  To 
do  evil  is  the  dreadful  consolation  of  his  existence.  Could  he 
■sink  every  one  of  us  in  an  abyss  of  poverty,  could  he  oppress 
us  with  the  most  deplorable  diseases  he  would  do  it.  No 
sooner  had  God  said,  to  him,  concerning  Job,"  behold  all  that 
u  he  hath  is  in  thy  power,"  than  he  instantly  enters  the  Sabc- 
ans  and  Chaldeans,  who  fall  upon  the  oxen  and  the  camels, 
and  slay  the  servants  with  the  edge  of  the  sword.     He  gives 

*  The  remarks  of  Mr.  Baxter  on  this  subject  are  such  as  must 
inipiess  forcibly  every  feeling  mind. 

"I  have,  among  men  of  my  own  acquaintance,  observed  such 
"  admirable  frustrations  of  many  designed  excellent  works,  by  such 
"  strange  unexpected  means,  and  by  such  variety  of  them,  and  so 
"  powerfully  carried  on,  as  hath  itself  convinced  me,  that  there  is 
"  a  most  vehement  invisible  malice  permitted  by  God  to  resist 
"  mankind,  and  to  militate  against  all  good  in  tlie  world."  "  To 
"  hinder  the  successes  of  godly  magistrates  and  ministers,  in  their 
"  reformings  and  their  writings  for  the  winning  of  souls,  it  were 
"  endless  to  shew,  the  strange  unexpected  iifficulties  which  occur, 
"  and  lamentably  frustrate  the  most  laudable  attempts.  I  have 
"  known  men  that  have  had  resolute  designs  to  build  an  Alms  House, 
"  or  a  School  House,  or  to  settle  some  public  charitable  work,  thai 
"  when  all  things  seemed  ready,  and  no  difficulty  appeared,  haw 
"  been  hindred,  in  despight  of  their  best  endeavours  ad  their  days, 
'*  or  many  years  :  Yea,  men  that  purposed  but  to  put  it  in  their  wills 
"  to  do  some  considerable  work  for  charity,  have  been  so  delayed, 
"  hindred,  and  disappointed,  that  they  were  never  able  to  effect  their 
"  ends.  By  all  which  it  is  very  perceivable,  to  an  observing  mind, 
"  that  there  is  a  working  invisible  enemy  still  seeking  to  destroy  a!1 
'  goodness  and  hinder  men's  salvation." 


(      20      ) 

fury  to  lightnings  and  winds ;  burns  up  the  sheep;  throws 
down  the  house,  in  which  the  children  of  the  patriarch  were 
sitting,  and  rejoices  to  see  them  buried  in  its  ruins.  When 
permitted  to  touch  the  body  of  the  sufferer,  to  the  very  extent 
of  his  permission,  he  carried  his  mischief.  He  smote  him, 
maliciously  "  smote  him  with  sore  biles,  from  the  sole  of 
11  his  foot  unto  his  crown."* 

When  suffered,  about  the  time  of  our  Lord's  incarnation,  in 
some  instances,  to  abuse  the  bodies  of  men,  the  wanton  pro- 
duction of  dumbness,  of  deafness,  of  madness,  or  of  any  thing, 
by  which  the  subject  might  be  "  grievously  vexed,"  was  his 
delight.  His  malevolence  continues  as  vigorous  as  ever. 
He  is  tempting  thousands,  with  fatal  success  to  indolence,  in- 
toxication, uncleanness  and  discord,  until  "pov  erty  come  as  one 
"  that  travelleth,  and  want  as  an  armed  man."f  Would  you 
gratify  the  powers  of  hell,  I  will  suggest  to  you  an  easy  expe- 
dient. Let  your  hearts  be  adamant,  when  the  receptacle  for 
your  contributions  is  presented  give  little — give  nothing  1 

But,  there  are  holy  and  benevolent  invisible  intelligen- 
ces, as  well  as  fallen  ones.  "  Because  of  the  angels"| 
is  an  argument  used  by  Paul,  when  exhorting  to  glory  and 
virtue.  These  rejoice  not  in  the  ruin,  but  in  the  repentance 
of  a  sinner.  To  administer  "  a  cake  baken  on  the  coals  and  a 
"  cruse  of  water"]!  to  a  prophet  in  his  distress  ;  affectionately 
to  importune  his  rising  and  eating,  correspond  with  the  cha- 
racter of  an  angel  of  God.  You,  my  brethren,  who  arc 
born  from  above,  are  hoping  to  spend  an  eternity  in  their 
society.  Let  them  see  that  you  possess  their  temper.  Let 
such  as  are  present  bear  to  the  multitudes  in  Heaven,  the 
transporting  information,  that  the  trees,  which  God  hath 
planted,  arc  bending  with  the  fruits  of  righteousness  and 
love. 

Above  all,  be  assured,  that  God  is  an  observer.  He  now 
sees  what  attention  you   are  paying  to  his  sovereign  com- 

•  Job,  chap.  1  Jt  2.     fProv.  6. 11.     i  Cor.  11.  10.     I!  1  Kings,  1?.  6. 


(      21      ) 

mand  :  but  not  as  needing  any  thing  from  you.  He  can  raise 
up  "  the  poor  from  the  dust"  and  "  the  beggar  from  the  dung- 
hill;" he  can  «  set  them  among  princes"  and  u  make  them  in- 
herit a  throne  of  glory,"*  without  your  concurrence  ;  for  ,%  the 
"  world"  is  his  "  and  the  fulness  thereof."t  But  he  is  now 
waiting,  awful  idea  !  waiting  to  witness,  how  far  his  authority 
shall  produce  reverence,  or  his  threatenings  alarm  ;  whether 
his  promises  shall  be  received  with  confidence,  and  his  conde- 
scending example,  for  he  is  himself  "  very  pitiful,"^  constrain 
imitation.  May  your  alms  «•  come  up  as  a  memorial"  before 
him,  "  an  odour  of  a  sweet  smell,  a  sacrifice  acceptable,  well 
pleasing  to  God.^ 

To  awaken  and  encourage  you  to  the  duty  before  us,  I 
might  point  you  to  the  holy  men,  who  had  evidently  lived  un- 
der the  ideas  we  have  been  mentioning,  and  whose  memory, 
the  word  of  God  embalms.  I  might  select  precedents  from 
the  history  of  the  confessors,  and  martyrs  of  the  church;  or 
refer  you  to  the  Howards  and  Thorntons,  on  each  side  the  At- 
lantic, of  modern  times :  but  I  ask  your  attention  only, 
III.  To  the  example  of  Paul, 

Several  circumstances  contributed  to  abridge  our  apostles 
capacity  of  exhibiting  a  splendid  liberality. ..He  was  a  poor 
man.  With  the  rest  of  his  brethren  he  could  say  "  Even  unto 
"  this  present  hour  we  both  hunger  and,  thirst  and  are  naked, 
"  and  are  buffetted,  and  have  no  certain  dwelling  place. "11 
Though  he  was  convinced  that  the  law  of  nature  teaches  that 
the  soldier  is  to  be  publickly  supported,  and  that  the  planter  of 
a  vineyard  and  the  feeder  of  a  flock  are  entitled  to  a  portion  of 
the  wine  and  the  milk  :  though  the  law  of  Moses  commanded 
that  the  ox  should  not  be  muzzled  which  trod  out  the  corn, 

•  1  Samuel,  2  8.     f  Psalm.  50.  12.     i  James,  5.  11. 
§  Phil.  4.  18.    ^1  Cor.  4.  U. 


(      22      ) 

and  that  the  priests  should  be  supported  from  the  altar  ;  in- 
junctions which  were  as  much  intended  for  the  profit 
of  the  christian  as  of  the  jew ;  though  Christ  himself 
expressly  ordained  that  they  which  preach  "  the  gos- 
«  pel,  should  live  of  the  gospel  ;*  and  though  the  rest  of  the 
apostles  drew  their  support  from  the  churches  they  had  plant- 
ed, and  it  were  absurd  to  imagine  that  he  only,  and  fiamabas, 
had  no  such  power :  yet  he  appears  early  to  have  adopted, 
and  without  deviation,  to  have  maintained  the  resolve  to  be 
"  chargeable  to  no  man."t  We  are  not,  however,  without  am- 
ple proof  of  his  charitable  temper.  His  assiduity  in  his  oc- 
cupation, as  a  tent  maker  ;  his  urgent  and  ingenious  exhorta- 
tions ;  his  long  and  fatigueing  journis  for  the  service  of  the 
poor,  are  sufficient  indications  of  the  bounty  of  his  heart. 

The  term  w  forward"!  in  the  text,  imports  contrivance, 
toil,  the  bending  of  the  mind,  an  earnest  pressing.  Proposing 
himself  as  "  an  ensample"  of  "  well-doing"  to  the  Thessaloni- 
ans,  Paul  mentions  his  working  "  with  labour  and  travail  by 
««  night  and  day."  Exhorting  the  Ephcsians,  ho  says,  "  Let 
"  him  that  stole,  steal  no  more,  but  rather  let  him  labour, 
"  working  with  his  hands  the  thing  which  is  good,  that  he  may 
"  have  to  give  to  him  that  needeth."  No  man  could  possess 
a  fairer  pretence  than  cur  apostle  for  an  exemption  from  the 
duty  before  us.  Yet  he  does  not,  for  a  moment,  avail  himself 
of  excuses  which  cares,  and  toils,  and  poverty,  might  have 
suggested.  A  part  of  the  pittance  which  he  earned,  he  con- 
sidered as  sacred  to  the  poor.  Is  it  thine  to  labour,  my  hear- 
er, for  thy  daily  bread,  remember  there  are  poor  who  cannot 

*  1  Cor.  9.  f  1  Cor.  11.  7- 
\  Schleusner  translates  the  verb  b*  studeo,  operam  do,  incumbo, 
sedulo  ago,  studium  et  operam  sedulam  in  rem  impendo,  urgeo  ;  and 
as  the  sense  of  the  apostle  in  the  text,  uses  the  words,  quod  ut  a  mc 
c-fliceretur,  omnem  operam  dedi ;  that  I  might  assist  the  poor  I  have 
exerted  myself  to  the  utmost. 


(      23      ) 

labour  !    Arc  thy  earnings  small,  there  are  such  as  can  earn 

nothing  ! Imitate  the  pattern  I  exhibit.     It  will  be  pleasant 

to  reflect,  that  thy  donation  is  the  fruit  of  labour,  and  that 
the  bread  thou  castest  upon  the  waters  is  fairly  thy  own. 

Men  are,  usually,  ready  to  exhort  others  to  the  duties  which 
themselves  arc  engaged  in.  Conviction  of  their  propri- 
ety and  importance,  creates  a  wish  for  associates.  In  every 
epistle,  Paul  has  written,  tenderness  and  charity  are  urged  ; 
but  in  his  address  to  the  Corinthians,  he  expatiates  on  these 
themes  more  than  in  any  other.  The  munificence  of  the 
churches  in  Macedonia,  and  their  expectation  of  the  same 
concern  for  the  poor,  in  Corinth  ;  the  peculiar  circumstances 
of  the  Corinthians,  as-  having  commenced  their  course  of 
charity,  and  as  abounding  in  other  christian  graces  ;  the  con- 
duct of  God  in  permitting  him  who  sows  bountifully,  to  reap 
bountifully,  and  His  ability  amply  to  repay  whatever  in  his 
service  we  expend ;  the  example  of  Christ,  the  honour  of 
God,  the  profit  of  the  poor,  are  arguments  produced  and  man- 
aged with  heavenly  wisdom,  and  glowing  energy. 

When  the  Grecian  churches  had  collected  a  sum  for  those 
saints,  among  the  Hebrews,  who  had  been  spciled  of  their 
goods  for  the  profession  of  the  gospel,  and  who  were,  from 
other  causes,  suffering,  they  were  at  no  loss  for  a  proper 
person,  to  whose  care  it  might  be  intrusted.  Paul  was  the 
man.... His  heart  was  too  enlarged  in  the  cause  of  the  poor  to 
admit  an  objection  to  the  service.  He  had  purposed  visiting 
Rome  and  Spain,  but  he  is  willing  to  defer  his  journies.  As 
deacons  to  attend  to  the  poor,  in  each  church,  were  appoint- 
ed, it  might  have  appeared  to  a  mind  less  noble,  than  his,  a  de- 
viation from  Ids  office,  to  become  a  public  almoner,  or,  at  least 
a  measure  which  another  might  as  well  fulfil.  But  he  had 
his  fears  lest  the  unhappy  prejudices  of  the  Jewish  brethren, 
might  prevent  their  acceptance  of  a  donation  from  gentiles  ; 
or,  if  received,  that  it  might  not   sufficiently  bo  understood  to 


(      24      ) 

be  an  effusion  of  Christian  love;  an:l  an  intimation  that  saints, 
in  every  part  of  the  world,  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  is 
not  heard  saying,  1  have  done  my  duty  in  successfully  urging 
tliK  christians  of  Philippi,  Thessa!o:ica,  and  Corinth  to  com- 
bine their  bounty:  if  the  belie v  n.;-  Jews  refuse  it,  let  their 
sufferings  chastise  their  folly.  Far  from  this,  he  resolves  on 
every  toil,  on  every  danger  and  sacrifice  for  their  good.  He 
entreats  the  Romans  to  assist  him  by  their  prayers;  a  most 
happy  mode  of  provoking  their  charity  also:  "  I  beseech  you, 
brethren,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  and  for  the  love  of 
the  spirit,  that  ye  strive  together  with  me,  in  your  prayers  to 
God  for  me.  that  I  may  be  delivered  from  them  that  do  not  be- 
lieve in  Jui'ea,  and  that  my  service  which  I  have  for  Jerusa- 
lem, may  he  accepted  of  the  saints."*  He  could  not  be  satis- 
fied until,  as  he  expressed  it  "  this  fruit"  was  "  sealed  ;"  the 
wishes  of  Achaia  gratified,  his  trust  discharged,  the  poor 
relieved,  and  the  harmonizing  spirit  of  the  gospel  promoted 
and  confirmed. 

Distinguished  as  was  Paul  as  a  bright  example  of  charity, 
he  is  cautious  to  rank  the  duty  in  its  proper  place.  He 
carefully  maintains  that  a  sinner's  salvation  is  not  by 
works  of  righteousness  that  we  have  done,  but  by  the  wash- 
ing of  regeneration ;  the  renewing  of  the  holy  ghost ;  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  the  lamb  of  God.  Does  charity 
"  cover  a  multitude  of  faults,"t  they  are  faults  in  the  object 
and  not  in  the  person  that  administers.  It  is  a  fruit  of  the 
spirit,  not  a  passport  to  heaven.  If  we  bestow  all  our  goods 
to  feed  the  poor  and  have  not  that  charity,  that  genuine  love 
of  God  in  our  hearts,  which  is  the  supreme  characteristic  of  a 
real  disciple  of  Jesus,  our  boastings  are  empty  as  the  sounding- 
brass  and  the  tinkling  cymbal. 

.  "  Rom.  15.  f"On  1  Tet.  4.  8.  compare,  snys  Mr.  I'arkhurst, 
Pro  erbs,  10.  12.  and  then  judge  how  groundless  is  that  dangerous. 
but,  I  fear,  common  notion  of  atonirg  sin  by  aims-giving." 


(     25      ) 


Let  me  open  to  you  a  channel,  in  which  your  benevolence 
may  now  diffuse  itself.  In  August,  1807,  several  of  the  fe- 
male members  of  this  church,  conceived  it  would  conduce  to 
their  mutual  profit  and  to  the  profit  of  others  to  form  them- 
selves into  a  friendly  society.  Their  aims  were  to  advance 
their  own  spiritual  edification,  and  to  lay  up  some  small  funds 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  against  the  severities  of  the  winter 
season.  They  soon  became  organized  ;  many  of  their  female 
friends  united  with  them.  It  is  their  desire  that  the  number 
may  be  increased.  The  present  is  the  third  winter  in  which 
their  charity  has  been  in  operation.  Many  are  the  poor  and 
the  sick  whom  they  have  supplied  with  food  and  fuel,  with 
clothing,  and  whatever  their  exigencies  might  require.  I  will 
give  you  a  short  extract  from  the  rules-  of  the  society,  which 
will  assist  you  in  judging  of  the  claims  they  have  on  your 
liberality. 

Without  limiting  their  efforts  to  this  church  and  congrega- 
tion, their  distributing  committee  is  commissioned  "  to  cn- 
"  quire  into  any  case  of  distress,  that  may  come  within  the 
"  notice  of  any  sister,  and  to  distribute  such  articles  as  may  be 
"  in  possession  of  "the  society,  with  prudence,  affection,  and 
**  sympathy."  That  their  «  funds  may  be  made  as  useful, 
"  and  extend  as  far  as  possible,"  the  committee  is  authorized 
"  to  dispose  of  them  to  the  best  advantage,  in  the  purchase  of 
"  groceries,  clothing,  or  any  articles  found  necessary." 
Money  is  not  given,  excepting  "  in  very  particular  cases"  of 
which  the  committee  is  deemed  "  competent  to  judge."  I 
will  only  add,  that  the  calls  on  the  society,  at  the  present  pe- 
riod, are  numerous,  loud,  and  affecting. 

Other  societies  formed  upon  similar  principles,  exist  in 
our  city  ;  and  we  wish  them  prosperity  :  but  as  the  poor  are 
always  and  every  where  to  be  found,  the  number  cannot  well 
be  too  great.  As  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  is  the  common  pa- 
rent of  them  all,  and  as  they  ever  multiply  in  proportion  to 
its  diffusion,  we  ought  rather  to  regard  their  rise  as  an  auspi- 
cious event. 

D 


C      26      ) 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SOCIETY. 

13 c  encouraged,  ray  christian  sisters,  members  of  the  Soci- 
ety, to  persevere  in  your  beneficent  course.  It  is  well  you 
have  united  yourselves  for  the  good  of  the  wretched.  Let  no 
lions  in  the  way,  tempt  you  to  loose  hands :  expect  discourage- 
ments and  surmount  them.  Let  your  meetings  be  frequent, 
and  your  consultations  harmonious.  Renew  your  exertions. 
Aspire  at  the  blessedness  of  being  rich  in  good  works.  You  are 
not  without  a  present  reward.  The  transports  you  will  feel, 
when  welcomed  to  everlasting  habitations,  by  the  pious  poor, 
you  shall  have  relieved,  it  were  folly  to  attempt  to  describe. 
The  congregation,  I  trust,  is  about  to  afford  you  a  conviction 
of  the  high  sense  they  possess  of  the  amiableness  and  impor- 
tance of  your  labours  of  love,  by  the  largeness  of  its  contri^ 
butions. 


What  more  shall  I  add,  my  brethren,  to  excite  your  libe- 
rality ?  Could  I  take  you,  severally,  into  some  of  the  mansions 
of  misery  in  our  city,  and  shew  you  the  pallet  where  the 
child  of  want  and  sorrow  is  lying  ;  whose  former  condition  in 
life  makes  the  idea  of  an  Aims-House  afflicting,  and  whose 
distresses  are  cheered  only  by  the  hopes,  that  spring  will 
bring  better  days,  and  that  christian  bosoms  are  not  dead  to 
sympathy  ?  Could  I  place  before  your  eyes  the  shivering  in- 
fant, the  starving  grandsire,  the  poor  widow  forsaken,  neglect- 
ed, forgotten,  or  even  the  repenting  tattered  profligate,  I  know 
you  would  melt.. ..in  spite  of  all  the  apologies  self-love  might 
suggest,  your  charity  would  abound. 

Two  boats,  some  time  ago,  were  sent  out  from  Dover  to 
relieve  a  vessel  in  distress.  The  fury  of  the  tempest  overset 
one  of  them,  which  contained  three  sailors,  and  a  companion 


(      27      ) 

sunk.  The  two  remaining  sailors  were  floating  on  the  deep; 
to  one  of  them,  from  the  other  boat,  a  rope  was  thrown,  but  he 
refused  it,  crying  out,  Jling  it  to  7om,  he  is  just  ready  to  go 
down,  I  can  last  some  time  longer.  They  did  so ;  Tom 
was  drawn  into  the  boat.  The  rope  was  then  flung  to  the 
generous  tar,  just  in  time  to  save  hiai  from  drowning.  Look 
on  the  boisterous  sea  of  our  world.  You  have  your  conflicts, 
we  acknowledge,  but  there  are  some  who  cannot  last  like  you. 
Throw  out  immediately  to  their  assistance,  or  it  may  be  too 
late.  Accomplish  now,  what  I  persuade  myself,  you  thought 
of  yesterday,  during  the  cold  and  heavy  snow  storm.  Come, 
my  brethren,  discharge  your  duty,  adorn  the  gospel,  disap- 
point the  devil,  gratify  angels,  and  revere  a  present  GOD. 


FINIS. 


